Hello geeks! Today we are back with another very important and interesting topic, which is, “what scope applies to custom metrics? – easy definition, impact, and 5 more interesting facts”. So, we will be going into the depths of custom metrics – its definition, the impacts, and much more.
However, in this article, our main focus shall be on “scope applies to custom metrics.”
Therefore, without wasting any further seconds, let us dive into the details and Knitty-gritty of what scope applies to custom metrics.
Before we know what scope applies to custom metrics, let us all first try to understand what is the meaning of custom metrics.
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Custom Metrics – Meaning
Let us break the term custom metrics. So, we see that it has two words, namely, custom and metrics. So, the first question must be what is custom metrics? To answer which, we shall try to understand the two words separately and then as one.
So, the word custom, in general, means –
“made or done to order or” – by the dictionary meaning.
and, the word metrics, in general, carries the meaning –
“a system or standard of measurement” – by the dictionary meaning.
So, custom metrics generally mean a way to measure something in a standard manner.
This term has its link mainly to Google Analytics. So, what now? What is Google Analytics? Well, Google Analytics is mainly related to marketing and analysis. It is a web analytics tool or rather a web analytics service that is offered by Google.
Also watch Google Analytics.
It is mainly required to keep track of the website traffic and in digital marketing.
So, hopefully, this gives you the basic idea about custom metrics and Google Analytics before we proceed with the scope that applies to custom metrics as the main topic of interest.
What is a metric in Google Analytics?
Since we have covered a lot of new terms just now, it becomes a necessity to know how is metrics related to Google Analytics or, rather, what is metric is Google Analytics, as our heading says.
So, every report that is generated in Analytics is composed of metrics and dimensions. Metrics, as mentioned before too, are the measurement in terms of quantity. There is an associated term, metrics session, with it. This shows the average number of times a particular page was viewed by a user.
Also, watch Dimensions and metrics – Overview.
Also, in analytics, dimensions are the attributes of the data.
Now, let us see how metrics are actually calculated:
It includes two ways; they are as follows:
- As overview totals
- In association with one or more reporting dimensions
Basic illustration points between metrics and analytics.(Image By: Andrew Kucheriavy from intechnic.com)
We shall not be covering the depths of calculation as it is beyond the scope of the article. Next, we will be discovering more concepts of the topic scope applies to custom metrics in Google Analytics.
What scope applies to custom metrics?
Also, watch: How to use custom calculated metrics?
So, we are now on our main topic, which is, what scope applies to custom metrics or scope applies to custom metrics, anything that you may refer to, both are valid. So now we will be actually knowing about the scopes that apply to custom metrics we have been studying and understanding so far.
There are four levels of scope; they are as follows:
- product
- hit
- session
- user
Let us try to understand each of these levels of scope individually.
Product Level Scope
“When a custom dimension has product-level scope, the value is applied only to the product with which the value is set. Because multiple products can be sent in a single hit, multiple product-level scoped custom dimensions can be sent in a single hit.” – from google analytics.
So, in this level of scope, the value is applied only to that particular product that is already specified or set.
Hit Level Scope
“When a custom dimension has hit-level scope, the value is applied only to the hit with which the value was set.” – by google analytics.
Now, in this, the value is applied only to the hit.
Session Level Scope
“When two values with session scope are set at the same index in a session, the last value set gets precedence and is applied to all hits in that session.” – by google analytics.
User Level Scope
“Lastly, if two user-scoped custom dimension values are set within the same session, the last value set gets precedence for the current session, and is applied to future sessions for that user.” – by google analytics.
The important thing for us is to know what scope applies to custom metrics. But it was necessary to know about all the levels of scope, just for knowledge purpose. So, out of these, “Hit Level Scope” is the scope that applies to custom metrics in google analytics.
Now, you must be thinking, why? So, the reason goes as: in general, they can have only two-level scope hit and product. Only hit level scope is superior because multiple or many products can be sent in a single hit or in just one hit; multiple product-level scoped custom dimensions can be sent in a single hit.
So, readers, we have now understood very clear what scope applies to custom metrics and also why that scope applies to custom metrics. So, now let us go in some more concepts to know more about dimensions and metrics in google analytics.
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What is a secondary dimension in Google Analytics?
Earlier, we have referred to the term dimensions when learning about metrics in the article. So, we have known that dimension is nothing but the attribute of the data in google analytics.
Now, we shall understand another very important concept in google analytics called secondary dimensions. So what is a secondary dimension in google analytics,
It can be an additional attribute, perhaps a new widget that one can add to the dashboard for some other analysis purpose. Or, you can say it is an additional attribute or metrics that may be added to the report for better analysis provision.
In conclusion, we can say rightly that this secondary dimension is a very useful attribute to the data because it can make the generated report much more specific in nature, which improves the way a report might be analyzed before.
So, we hope that this new concept we just explained was clear to all of you. If not, try to research more on it and read the article for that particular section again; you will surely understand it by taking a little time and a little more effort.
Next, we shall see what data is prohibited from collecting by Google.
Also, read Data Generalization in Data Mining: Approaches, Techniques, and Principles.
What data does Google Analytics prohibit collecting?
Now, we have known about a lot of basic concepts about google analytics. We access all the data freely just by searching with relevant keywords in google search. Have you ever wondered whether you can access all the data available in the database of google?
Well, you will say that I can access all the data I want as per my requirement at any point in time. It’s true to some extent but not exactly the case that happens. You can really access all the data, but can you access your friend’s personal data unless he or she provides you the credentials. The answer is no.
One is definitely not allowed to access someone’s private or personal data without their consent on google. Google hence prohibits the unauthorized access to such vital data. This kind of data has a special name called PII or Personally Identifiable Information.
Although our main topic was what scope applies to custom metrics, and now we are dealing with what is called a PII, that does not mean we are going astray from our topic. The scope applies to custom metrics that have the ultimate relationship with data.
Metrics are the standard measurement of data only in Google Analytics. Therefore, for completely understanding what scope applies to custom metrics in Google Analytics, you must have a good command of data and analysis of this data. And before you actually analyze these data available, you must know what data is free to access and what data is prohibited from access.
So, we were talking about PII or Personally Identifiable Information. Let us know to understand what PII is actually. PII or Personally Identifiable Information is the kind of information or data that is specific to only a specific person.
Suppose a person is there, let us say X. So, the data or information that is related to him like his email Id, his phone number, his social media accounts on various social media platforms – the data contained in those accounts, his professional accounts, etc. are termed as PII.
So, in the example, we just considered the email ID, phone number, social media accounts, and others are all related to X and are his Personally Identifiable Information or PII. Hence, as we mentioned earlier, also PII is specific to an individual.
So, why does Google prohibit anyone from accessing the PII? This is mainly for security purposes. If anyone could access the PII relating to some other individual, then it may happen that the person may misuse the data, or maybe a hacker can exploit this data unethically. Hence, google prohibits access to such data without proper authorization.
Now it is known what PII is; the scope applies to custom metrics, why that scope applies to custom metrics, what is the meaning of custom metrics, and finally, what are the dimensions in google analytics. Hoping that your concept is clear regarding these basic topics.
So, we have come to the last topic for today – custom dimensions can be used as what. We have already covered a lot about dimensions in google analytics, but one must know the use right. So let us see what the use of custom dimension is.
Custom dimensions can be used as what in Google Analytics?
The last sub-topic we have for today is the usage of custom dimensions in Google analytics. So let’s explore this topic.
So custom dimensions can be used as the following:
- Secondary Dimensions in standard reports
- Primary Dimensions in custom reports
- Secondary Dimensions in custom reports
The custom reports are made as per the requirement with modification to the existing standard report. So it can also be termed as a customized standard report. As we already know that dimensions are the attributes of the data in google analytics so custom dimensions are the customized dimensions that find application in both these types of reports.
The secondary dimension, as we have studied before, provides further specifications to the data for a better analysis. Thus custom dimensions find usage in the form of both primary dimension and secondary dimension as well.
That is all about our topic, “what scope applies to custom metrics?”. We have gone through all the necessary details and sub-topics falling under what scope applies to custom metrics, how the mentioned scope applies to custom metrics, what are the 4 levels of scope, and so on.
We have also covered the base knowledge about google analytics and the terms such as metrics, dimensions, PII, or Personally Identifiable Information. We have also looked at why google prohibits access to certain data and why is it important to deny access.
Conclusion
In conclusion, we can add that out of all the scope levels known so far, hit level scope applies to custom metrics. Also, it is more applicable than that of product level scope. PII or Personally Identifiable Information needs to be prohibited from unauthorized access as it pertains to a specific individual. Also, custom dimensions find a lot of usage in standard reports as well as custom reports.
People also ask:
What is analytics?
The systematic analysis of data or statistics is termed analytics. It is used for interpretation and manipulation as well as the discovery of data.
What is Google Analytics?
Google Analytics is a web analytics tool or a web analytics service that is offered by Google itself from keeping track of the entire traffic on the website.
What is PII?
PII or Personally Identifiable Information is the information or data that is related to a specific person or individual.
What are the metrics and dimensions in Google Analytics?
Metrics can be defined as the systematic measurement of data.
Dimensions can be defined as the attributes of data.
What are the different scope levels available in google analytics?
There are 4 different scope levels; they are:
- Product level scope
- Hit level scope
- Session level scope
- User-level scope
What scope applies to custom metrics?
Out of the 4 levels of scope, Hit Level Scope applies to custom metrics.
So that is all about the topic “what scope applies to custom metrics?” We hope that this article helped you a lot in gaining the most basic knowledge in Google Analytics. You can comment on your views on google analytics and on all other concepts covered in the article. We should appreciate your information.
In case of any doubt, you can reach out to us through your comments. We would try to clear your doubts by answering them at the earliest.